Written by

Jason Munz
jmunz@hattiesburgamerican.com

Before Bradley Roney ever stepped foot onto the Southern Miss campus, the Wetumpka, Ala., native was already well versed in all things Hattiesburg.

The 6-foot-1 third-baseman-slash closer's parents, Rick and Diane, spent 14 years as Hattiesburg residents. Both are William Carey University graduates, and their first two children - Brandon, 29, and Brett, 24 - were born in the Hub City. In addition, Roney's uncle, Paul, has spent the past four-plus years as pastor at Richburg Baptist Church in Hattiesburg.

"I've kind of always been familiar with the area," he said. "My dad will come back ...